At least three tourists have been shot dead in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese District, western Uganda.

The incident will send shockwaves in Uganda’s tourism industry which contributes 7.7% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The incident comes just days after Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) killed one person and burned a truck in Kasese District.

The assailants also torched the yet-to-be identified tourists’ cars.

The incident occurred between Lake Nyamununka and Kabatooro.

Police confirmed the development, describing the incident as ‘cowardly.’

“We have registered a cowardly terrorist attack on two foreign tourists and a Ugandan in Queen Elizabeth National Park,” said Police.

“The three were killed, and their safari vehicle burnt. Our joint forces responded immediately upon receiving the information and are aggressively pursuing the suspected ADF rebels,” the law enforcement body emphasised.

Last Friday, Deputy Army spokesperson, Col Deo Akiiki, said an estimated five armed ADF elements ambushed a trailer at 1:00am which was carrying onions from Kisoro to Mpondwe Lhubiriha border and burnt it.

This happened at Katojo Junction along Bwera-Kinyamaseke-Kasese Road in Kasese District. The trailer had four occupants.

Akiiki said UPDF squads were tracking down the attackers.

In June, the militants killed 41 people in an attack on a school in Kasese near the DRC border. 

The ADF pledged allegiance to the Islamic State to access enough resources and training to carry out regional terrorist attacks. 

Officials last week told ChimpReports that dozens of ADF agents had infiltrated the country with the view of conducting terror attacks. 

President Museveni on Sunday said security services had foiled a bomb attack in Butambala, Central Uganda.

“We shall get them wherever they go: Congo, Uganda, South Africa, or wherever they go,” said Museveni.

The local tourist guide who was killed by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Queen Elizabeth National Park alongside two foreign tourists, has been identified as Eric Alyai.

Alyai was an employee of Gorillas Wildlife Safari, a local tour company. 

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) said deceased tourists whose names are withheld, ‘include a UK citizen and a South African citizen.’

The vehicle in which the trio was travelling, a Land Cruiser registration number UBF 303C, was set ablaze by the assailants.

 Such incidents are very rare in Uganda’s national parks.

Police said the ‘cowardly incident’ occurred between Lake Nyamununka and Kabatooro.

“The three were killed, and their safari vehicle burnt,” said Police in a statement on Tuesday.

“Our joint forces responded immediately upon receiving the information and are aggressively pursuing the suspected ADF rebels,” the law enforcement body emphasised.

Authorities are yet to identify the nationalities of the deceased tourists. 

The incident is expected to send shockwaves across Uganda’s tourism industry. 

ADF attacks 

The killings come at a time Ugandan security forces are hunting down ADF terrorists in their hideouts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

The Islamic-state linked armed insurgent movement is blamed for a string of terrorist attacks in DRC and Uganda. 

Last Friday, five armed ADF elements ambushed a trailer which was carrying onions from Kisoro to Mpondwe Lhubiriha border and burnt it.

This happened at Katojo Junction along Bwera-Kinyamaseke-Kasese Road in Kasese District.

In June, the militants killed 41 people in an attack on a school in Kasese near the DRC border. 

President Museveni on Sunday said security services had foiled an ADF bomb attack in Butambala, Central Uganda.

“We shall get them wherever they go: Congo, Uganda, South Africa, or wherever they go,” said Museveni.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has withheld identities of tourists killed in Queen Elizabeth National Park following Tuesday attack.

The incident occurred at Nyamunuka along Katwe Road, involving two tourists and their guide.

“We regret to report that all three individuals were attacked today evening and killed by unknown assailants, who also set their vehicle ablaze,” UWA said in a statement Tuesday.

However, the Authority did not reveal names of the deceased.

The deceased include a Ugandan, a UK citizen and a South African citizen.

They were travelling under Gorilla and Wildlife Safaris, a local tour company.

UWA says that in response to this incident, the Authority “has informed the Uganda Police Force and other security agencies who are working diligently to establish the precise sequence of events leading up to this horrific incident and to identify those responsible.”

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, and we share in their grief during this difficult time. The safety and security of tourists visiting our protected areas is of utmost importance to us. We urge the public to remain patient and allow the investigative process to run its course, while refraining from spreading unverified information. Your cooperation is essential in bringing those responsible to justice. All our parks remain open to visitors and we continue to work with other security agencies to ensure that all people who visit our protected areas are safe,” UWA said.

The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are trying to wage a guerilla war in western Uganda, a defence official disclosed on Wednesday.

This is evidenced by the nature of attacks being carried out by the Islamic State-linked insurgents in different parts of Uganda and eastern Congo.

Guerrilla warfare is a form of unconventional fighting style in which small groups of irregular forces use ambushes, sabotage, terrorism, raids, petty warfare or hit-and-run tactics in a war against regular forces.

On 17 June 2023, ADF attacked a school in Mpondwe, Kasese District, western Uganda, close to the border with the DRC. 42 people were killed. 

The terrorists, who have since pledged allegiance to Islamic State, quickly disappeared under the cover of darkness. 

On 16 November 2021, terrorists used two explosive devices in central Kampala killing 4 and injuring 33 people. The attackers fled before the explosions. 

The Uganda Police Force disrupted an attempted IED attack at Miracle Centre Cathedral in the Rubaga Division of Kampala on 3 September 2023. 

President Museveni said ADF attempted an attack on churches in Butambala district this past Sunday. 

Last Friday, five armed ADF elements ambushed a trailer which was carrying onions from Kisoro to Mpondwe Lhubiriha border and burnt it.

This happened at Katojo Junction along Bwera-Kinyamaseke-Kasese Road in Kasese District. The attackers are still on the run.

The militants, who have been accused of committing atrocities in the region, are suspected of masterminding the attack in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Western Uganda on October 17 in which a local guide and two foreign tourists were killed. 

“We are reinforcing counter terrorism personnel in western Uganda with drone surveillance experts and counter insurgency operatives,” said a defence source who preferred anonymity to speak freely.

“We are mobilising communities at lower council levels to prevent infiltration and increase vigilance among vulnerable communities.”

Another source said fighting a guerilla war requires public support for insurgents which is not the case with ADF in western Uganda where the fighters have committed atrocities. 

However, a guerilla group can thrive on support from foreign funders and illicit trade. 

The attack in Queen Elizabeth National Park is expected to hurt Uganda’s tourism sector. 

In an updated advisory, the UK advised its nationals “against all but essential travel” to Queen Elizabeth National Park. 

“If you are currently in the Park, you should follow the advice of local security authorities. If you are able to do so safely, you should consider leaving the area,” said the UK government. 

However, the UK emphasised that “Most visits are trouble-free.”

Around 15,000 British nationals visit Uganda every year. 

A local tourist guide who was killed in Queen Elizabeth National Park alongside two foreign tourists, was identified as Eric Alyai, an employee of Gorillas Wildlife Safari.

The vehicle in which the trio was travelling, a Land Cruiser registration number UBF 303C, was burnt by the assailants.

“Our joint forces responded immediately upon receiving the information and are aggressively pursuing the suspected ADF rebels,” said Uganda Police Force on Tuesday night.

President Yoweri Museveni has released critical details regarding the attack on tourists in Queen Elizabeth National Park last evening.

A couple of tourists and the Ugandan driver with them were killed at around 1800hrs on the Katwe-Kabatooro murram road, by “a small group of terrorists running away from our operations in Congo.”

“It was a cowardly act on the part of the terrorists attacking innocent civilians and tragic for the couple, who were newlyweds and visiting Uganda on their honeymoon. Of course, these terrorists will pay with their own wretched lives. However, killing these wretched individuals will not bring back the lives of these wonderful friends of Uganda, who had chosen our country for their honeymoon out of the 193 Countries of the world. Our High Commission in the UK will reach out to their families and provide whatever support is necessary in this tragic situation,” the President said in a statement Wednesday.

The President said, the UPDF, the Police, the UWA and Intelligences should ensure “these mistakes do not happen again and that ADF is wiped out. The wiping out is moving very well.”

“What needs to be done is to ensure that the remnants do not commit these atrocities,” he added.

According to the President, UWA was guarding tourists once they were in the Park. However, he said, “apparently, the tourists were arriving and departing individually.”

“It is this gap that they used. Secondly, the UPDF has been using a form of tracking these fugitive groups from Congo, Kufuata Nyayo – following their tracks (ekisinde, ekirari). There are more reliable ways of tracking, which we have discussed with the Army. The terrorists will be defeated, like Kony was defeated, and the cattle rustlers that have been killing people in Karamoja and the surrounding districts or those that were cutting People with pangas (bijambiya) in Masaka,” the President said.

The National Animal Genetic Resources Center and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB), has inaugurated a new Board of Directors, who will steer the animal breeding center for a tenure of 3years but subject to renewal. The board members include Mr. Ben Anyama ( Chairperson), Dr. Peter Beine Ahambisibwe ( Board secretary), Dr. Henry Aaron Mulindwa, Dr. Anna Rose Ademun Okurut, Dr. Herman Sekiwunga, Dr. Bilal Cabral Kibedi, Dr. Samuel Kanakulya Lubinga,  Eng. Robert Ssenozi Wajja, Mr. Anthony Raymond Epel, Hon. Sheilah Mwine Kabeije, and Ms. Teddy Alako.

The twelve board members were sworn in by Entebbe Chief Magistrate-Stella Maris Amabilis, who cautioned them to take the oath seriously.

The State Minister in charge of Animal industry at the Ministry of Agriculture Animal industry and Fisheries, Hon. Rtd Col. Bright Rwamirama, asked  the newly installed board members to ensure cattle farmers especially in the countryside get good genetic materials so as to enhance beef and milk production in the country.

“The technical staff charged with animal breeding must strive for better animal breeds . They should ensure cattle farmers in the countryside get better genetic materials capable of breeding animals with good kilos between 500-1000 kilos and higher quantities of milk between 40-50 liters. The board members should ensure animal diseases are controlled on top of ensuring animal feeds are affordable to cattle farmers.

” Build more conservation animal structures and give cattle farmers the right bulls and with this, next year we shall be able to export enough milk and beef outside  East African region,” said Hon. Rwamirama.

Minister Rwamirama also asked the new board of directors to improve NAGRC &DB in terms of service delivery, and to protect government land housing cattle ranches currently under threat from encroachers.

” I’m very certain the new Board members will move the animal breeding center to new higher levels in terms of service delivery. The challenge that  lies ahead of you is expectations but during your tenure in office ensure you protect government land housing cattle ranches that are currently under threat by land grabbers or encroachers. Note Government land is crucial for livestock breeding and infrastructure development and the Regional Animal gene Bank for East and Central Africa is housed in Uganda. The staff must be careful when handling infrastructures at the animal breeding center.

While on the issue of staff renumeration , no one should talk about it and those demanding for salary enhancement should go slow because this is a policy issue . Therefore, no one should promise you heaven on Earth, “Hon. Rwamirama warned staff.’

The newly installed Chairperson of Board of Directors for NAGRC & DB, Ben Anyama, in his maiden speech , pledged that his board will offer effective services to cattle farmers and cautioned staff to avoid absenteeism and corruption.

“This is a unique Board of Directors and I promise nothing except service delivery and any decision taken by the board must be in the interest of NRM, NAGRC& DB and National Development plan 111.

” I implore all the staff to make continuous consultations with the board and avoid internal fights or squabbles. Instead you should attend to all farmers needs and the Board will offer full support to the Executive Director to handle matters affecting the organization.

Mr. Anyama also pledged to address the  issue of human resource capital and welfare of NAGRC & DB staff during his tenure. However Minister Rwamirama advised him to handle the issue slowly by slowly untill it’s fixed.

Dr. Anna Rose Ademun Okurut, the Acting Director Animal resources at MAAIF as well as a new board member of NAGRC & DB, asked the staff to work on the issue of quality of milk and meat on top of guiding farmers on the best animal breeds so as to meet market demands at international Level.

” There is shortage of milk and beef in Europe following the outbreak of avian flu which  is a big opportunity for Uganda to export beef and milk to those affected European countries.  At the moment, Uganda is a bread basket for East African Region and now targets the whole of Africa. However, to achieve this, there is need to boost productivity of eggs, poultry, milk, and meat. Cattle farmers should be guided on the best animal breeds so as to meet the market demands on the global market.

” There is also need to review Animal Breeding Act of 2001 to cater for new things and also to increase interaction with the farming community, increase volume of liquid nitrogen and stablize crossbreed at level three, “said Dr. Ademun.’

In related news, Minister Rwamirama handed over 100 auctioned superior dairy breeding bulls to cattle farmers, and among the beneficiaries include former Chief Justice Bart Katureebe and Dr. Kellen Kayonga, who in appreciation said the bulls would save them the burden of importing semen from abroad.

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has today announced an additional 64 local businesses that will be considered for seed funding worth Ushs4.8bn from its innovation program dubbed Hi-innovator.

This will bring the total number of businesses that have benefitted from the program’s seed funding to 306 since its inception in 2021.

Alex Rumanyika, NSSF Head of Strategy, said, “Our goal for the Hi-innovator program is to invest in at least 500 enterprises by 2025. The businesses selected today are an affirmation that we are on the right track to reach that target within the set timeframe,” he said.

Rumanyika added that the selected businesses would be subjected to a final due diligence process before they receive the funds to ensure efficiency and that they fully comply with the program requirements. Each business will receive shs75 million seed funding upon successful due diligence.

The winning businesses were announced at Mestil Hotel following a pitching exercise where a panel of entrepreneurship experts assessed their ability to profitably scale when provided with the right technical and financial assistance, potential to create work opportunities for young people and the competency of the management teams over a period of time.

Businesses selected were from the agriculture, digital economy and light manufacturing sectors. They included cosmetic and beauty companies that use plants and animal products as raw materials, waste management companies, clothing manufacturers, website and app developers.

Richard Zulu, the founder at Outbox that is the Lead project Implementing partner, emphasized that the above sectors were given priority this time around because of their potential to create dignified and fulfilling work opportunities among youth and women.

Some of the selected businesses for seed funding include Damba Kezaala Enterprises a dynamic agricultural venture dedicated to empowering agropreneurs and agricultural entities, Frotexured Limited that manufactures organic beauty and hair products and InfoSec Technologies Limited developers of the SmartCase Manager, a Ugandan-made, holistic Law Firm Management System tailored to streamline and automate business processes for law firms and legal departments among others.

The Hi-Innovator Programme is an initiative by NSSF in partnership with Mastercard Foundation that aims to create an eco-system where indigenous Small and Growing Businesses can be supported to mature into viable businesses. It is implemented by Outbox with further support from other fifteen enterprise support organizations that include Stanbic Incubator, Makerere University Innovation and Incubation Center,MUBS Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Incubation Centre, Inpact, Shona, Uganda Christian University, Mkazinprenuer, Zimba women, CURAD and WITU.

By Nickson Maberi

Uganda Registration Service Bureau (URSB) has declined a request by Socialite Frank Gashumba to register the slogan ‘Omalako Jajja Tova Ku Main’ as his own.

The assistant registrar of copyright at URSB Birungi Denis dismissed Gashumba’s application of copyright under registration number UG/C/2023/89 on grounds that there’s no enough evidence to prove ownership of the slogan and that Gashumba is not the author of the disputed works.

Birungi also says that Gashumba was not commissioned, the first objector Hajat Hadijah Uzeiye, manager of the office of the National Chairman at Kyambogo, to develop the disputed slogan.

Frank Gashumba filed an application to URSB on May 18, 2023, to register the slogan ‘Omalako Jajja Tova Ku Main’. However, in June, Hajat Hadijah Uzeiye petitioned URSB not to accept Gashumba’s request on grounds that she is the original author of the slogan.

According to Birungi, the slogan has become part and parcel of campaign messaging associated with NRM youth with an intent of mobilising support for President Museveni and pushing for his 2026 presidential bid.

“I take note of the fact that the disputed works are works of a political character. They are intended for the mobilization of the president and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and have become synonymous with campaign messaging of the NRM  and its youth supporters,” he said.

Background

On May 18, 2023, Frank applied for the registration of the ‘Omalako Jajja Tova Ku Main’ slogan. Gashumba claims, he authored the slogan on November 5th, 2022 and later uses it in Campaign Activity for President Museveni.

On the other hand, Hajat Hadijah says, she and her team at the office of the national chairman came up with the slogan. Hadijah claims Gashumba, through his company Sarafina Events Ltd, approached her to participate in an awareness campaign for President Museveni’s presidential bid and offered to help with branding.

Hadijah claims to have launched the slogan on October 19th, 2022, at an event dubbed ‘Omalako Jajja Tova Ku Main’, held at her office in Kyambogo.

Political Divisions

Frank Gashumba and Hajat Hadijah are divided on political grounds. The former is a supporter of team Muhoozi Keinerugaba (MK), while the latter is an advocate for President Museveni’s 2026 presidential bid.

The political divisions between the two are believed to be the root cause of the disagreements over the use of the ‘Omalako Jajja Tova Ku Main’ slogan.

Only one lane between Busega and Masanafu along the Kampala Northern Bypass is in use following a fire incident.

Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire says that the authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire.

He, however, said that the territorial Police at Natete, in collaboration with the Fire Prevention and Rescue Services, swiftly responded to the fire outbreak that occurred at 4pm and put it out.

This was after a fuel tanker with registration number KBL 022A and ZD 3482, driven by Ismail Umar, a 27-year-old Kenyan national, caught fire.

“While the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, our dedicated officers responded promptly to the scene. The Fire and Rescue Services team has managed to contain the fire, and efforts are ongoing to fully extinguish it,” Owoyesigyire says.

He reassured road users who depend on the by-pass that one lane is currently open and usable for motorists, ensuring minimal disruption.

The Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has cautioned legislators against character assassination, violation of rules of the House and urged them to legislate with decorum and dignity for each other.

To avoid disruptions and ensure smooth operations in the House, the Deputy Speaker issued new changes and cited two very critical rules that must be followed by all members at all times and cautioned legislators against misconduct and attacking each other.

“It is out of order to use offensive , abusive, insulting, blasphemous or unbecoming words or to impute improper motives to a member or to make personal allusions,” the Deputy Speaker told members, as he read out the rules of procedure verbatim.

“I know as colleagues, you have a duty to deliver to your constituency, but as the custodian of the rules, I have a duty to protect the dignity of this house and I will ensure that is done, but I request you, honorable colleagues, that we indeed accommodate each other, because it’s in parliament where we can accommodate each other. I will give you time to speak. I will give, as long as your content is in line with the rules.“

He added: “I will give you time to bring your issues here because it’s provided for but I will request you to accommodate each other. The day you stop accommodating each other as a house, we shall have lost it. I want to thank you colleagues.”

Under 83, the Deputy Speaker announced that during a sitting (a) a member shall enter or leave the house with a decorum. (b) A member shall not cross the flow of the house or move around unnecessarily. (c) While a member is speaking, all other members shall be silent or make unseemly interruptions. (d) When a member has finished his or her observation, he or she shall resume his or her seat. (e) A maiden speech shall not be interrupted. (f) A member shall not without the consent of the speaker bring into the house anything other than papers, books or other documents, which are directly connected with the business of the house. (g) A member shall not bring in to the house any camera, arms or weapon, tape recorder, transistor radio and (h) A member shall not clap in the house.

Under Rule 83 (2), the Deputy Speaker informed members, that notwithstanding Paragraph (g), a member may bring in specific electronic devices, that can not disrupt the preceding of the house and also the security test of parliament.

New Guidelines

In his communication from the Chair, Mr Tayebwa, as the custodian of the House rules of procedure , also banned impromptu reactions to the Speaker’s communication to the Chair and asked the lawmakers to adhere to the official dressing code.

“I want us to enforce the rules properly, including dressing code. So, dressing code which is clearly provided for under rule 82 of our rules of procedure will be because under African wear is where we have had an abuse. I will no longer allow shirts in the house and because this is a place of dignity and suits,” the Deputy Speaker said.

“I want us to apply properly what is defined as African Shirts. Some are bought in Europe, they are not even African and this rule is also applying to Committees. It has been brought to my attention that members walk in committees in jeans in sneakers in converse in flats, some are about to enter in shorts and also for the women, kindly try to be as decent as possible.”

He added: “With effect from today [October 18 2023] and onwards, if a member for example has an injury, and he or she approaches the speaker in time, and he or she explains him or herself, we can have an exception and we understand, the member is injured, he cannot put on the suit.”

In order to bring order to the House, the Deputy Speaker also banned lawmakers approaching the speaker’s chair during plenary sessions. This is intended to avoid disrupting Speaker’s attention in the House.

“I want to repeat this. No more walking over to the speaker except for three people. Number one, the leader of government business and also it doesn’t mean that we do it all the time, the leader of government business, the leader of opposition and the government chief whip and any other person, whom the speaker, presiding officer, can invite for consultation, but you will be approaching the chair through chits,” the Deputy Speaker Tayebwa ruled.

He added: “I have seen, flexibility is never rewarded, and you have proved that to me from all sides. Of course, I will remain steadfast and I can assure you of this: I am a very patient character and I will continue being patient…. I want us to apply the rules here the way they are….the rules I will be applying, are rules, which honorable colleagues you make and I must implement, including when I make a ruling, it will be final. If you want to challenge my ruling, the rules give you a leeway of challenging it.”

Terror attacks

Meanwhile the House observed a moment of silence in memory of the two tourists and a Ugandan guide, who were killed by suspected ADF rebels in Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday evening. The victims and their guide, according to Deputy Speaker, were attacked in Kasese around Katwe. The Deputy Speaker described the tragedy as “a very sad moment, especially for the country’s tourism sector, which was recovering after being hit so much by COVID-19.“

“People want to come and see the marvel of our beauty as a country, so all of a sudden this tragedy happened. I know, it will affect the tourism sector, but government, indeed, we need to come up and assure our people on the safety of our visitors in the country and we shall give all the necessary support as a house and we do hope, that in this incident we don’t as a country lose focus and declare even ourselves as if we are extremely insecure.“

Authorities have commenced demolishing some of the structures that were illegally constructed on Kabale Regional Referral Hospital Land to pave way for the construction of a state-of-the-art intensive care unit (ICU) worth Shs 8.5 Billion.

The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, launched on September 2, 2023, the construction of a state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit (ICU) worth Shs 8.5 billion at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital in Kabale District.

The contract was awarded to HASO Engineers Company Limited, and funding for the project was secured through collaboration between the government and the International Development Agency (IDA).

But ever since then the construction by the contractor has stalled, as private developers Charles Rwanika Majugo and Eng. Alex Happiness blocked the road to the site where the ICU is being cconstructed,as well encroached on most of the land, as they have constructed permanent Houses.

Godfrey Nyakahuma, the Kabale Resident District Commissioner (RDC), says that the works had been stalled for the last three weeks, after the contractor, while he was making the foundation, realized that most of the land and the access road to the site had encroached, so he would not continue. It was then that he had to leave the site.

Nyakahuma says, his office had to intervene in the matter.

It is against the above background that the demolitions have started.

Dr Philbert Nyeko, the Hospital Director of Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, says, that now that the encroachers, that had made the works to stall for the last three weeks, have been removed from the land, the contractor is to begin the work this week.

Dr Nyeko says, that the Hospital has lost some land to Encroachers, as he says, that as the Hospital Administration, they are to try to look out for the people, that have encroached on the Hospital Land and they reclaim it.

Police in Mitooma District have arrested a Swahili teacher of Kanyabwanga Secondary School, Tumusiime Dominic, for involving in a case of examination malpractice in the ongoing Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) Exams.

According to Jennifer Kalule-Musamba, Uganda National Examination Board Principal Public Relations Officer, Tumusiime allegedly shared information/ an image purported to be an examination material for a UNEB Biology Practical Paper for 2023.

Musamba said that the content is said to have been shared on a school teachers’ forum. The Headteacher of the School, One Mugizi, reported the case to the Police, and the teacher was arrested. The file was sanctioned at the magistrate’s court in Bushenyi, and the suspect was due to appear in court yesterday.

Relatedly, in Kwania District, the head teacher of Inomo Secondary School has been arrested by the police for allegedly tampering with examination material/envelope containing mathematics Paper 1 examination papers.

It is said that he received a sealed envelope from the station, in the presence of other examination officials, that included the UNEB Chief Scout, Area Supervisor, as well as security Officers. It is suspected that the content of the envelop could have been tampered with. Police is investigating the case.

In Nagalama, the police arrested the Headteacher of Paul Mukasa Secondary School in Kalagi for electronic sharing of information, purported to be a UNEB Examination paper.

The Headteacher was said to be sharing the material from his phone, and extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public. He will be arraigned in court to answer to charges of aiding and abetting malpractice.

In Kampala, the Police in Kabalagala, Makindye Division, have arrested the Chief Invigilator at African Paarl Secondary School on suspicion of providing external assistance to the second shift of Chemistry students.

This was during the practical examination of Chemistry Paper 3 of Tuesday, October 17, 2023, a handwritten piece of paper with suspected answers of the practical paper was found in the examination room, where the Chief Invigilator was supervising. Investigations are ongoing.

Section 28 of the UNEB Act 2021 makes it an offence to damage/ destruct an examination paper, examination material, or any other material or information. According to the Act, a person involved in such an act commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one thousand currency points (Twenty Million Shillings) or a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or both.

56 people have been arrested in an intelligence-led operation conducted by Kira Road , Jinja Road and Kajjansi Police Stations for purposes of safety along the Kampala-Northern Bypass.

In Balintumwa Zone, Kiwatule Parish, Nakawa Division, Kampala District, an operation spearheaded by Kira Road Police Officers resulted in the apprehension of several suspects involved in criminal activities. The operation focused on curbing criminal acts, including drug-related offenses, along the Northern Bypass.

The suspects have been identified as Sakii Arafat, Okot Sam, Tumukwase Joel, Bamwine Edward, Kironde Ramathan, Tumuhimbe Erias, Ssebugwawo Ashraf, Silvester Brian and Nabikora Edmond.

Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesman, confirmed the arrests.

He said that numerous exhibits were seized during the operation, underscoring the commitment to maintaining a safe environment for our citizens.

In the Kajjansi Policing Area, Wakiso District, a separate intelligence-led operation was carried out by the OC Operations Kajjansi. This operation was in response to concerns raised by the public regarding an increase in burglary and theft in areas including Nakigalala Kifene, Lweza A and B, Kawotto B, and Makandwa – Kijapan. The operation resulted in the arrest of 35 suspects, believed to be involved in these criminal activities.

“Local councils are assisting in the screening process for these detainees,” Owoyesigyire said.

Additionally, an operation aimed at ensuring a crime-free festive season was conducted in the Banda Kasenyi area, leading to the arrest of 14 suspects on charges of simple robbery.

“All the Police Divisions in the Kampala Metropolitan Police Jurisdiction will continue to actively combat criminal activities and maintain a high level of vigilance to protect our communities. As we approach the festive season, we encourage all residents to remain vigilant and work closely with law enforcement to ensure a peaceful and secure environment,” said Owoyesigyire.

In line with President Yoweri Museveni’s directive to boost import substitution and promote exports, Hon. David Bahati, the Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), on Thursday paid a visit to Fine Spinners Uganda Ltd.

Fine Spinners Uganda Ltd, a textile company, is already playing a pivotal role in supporting the country’s import substitution goals. The company specializes in the production of high-quality Textiles, that can serve as viable alternatives to imported materials.

This aligns with the government’s agenda to boost the “Buy Uganda, Build Uganda” initiative, which encourages the consumption of locally produced goods.

During his visit, Bahati expressed the government’s commitment to revitalizing the manufacturing sector and reducing the country’s dependence on imported goods.

Bahati commended Fine Spinners Uganda Ltd for its commitment to improving the economy, quality and innovation in the textile industry.

“We are glad that Fine Spinners, as one of the strong companies in the textile industry, is doing very well. They have increased our exports by almost 2 million dollars while using our raw materials of cotton,” he said.

He emphasized the need for further investment and growth in the sector to meet the rising demand for locally manufactured products.

“The work being done by Fine Spinners is great, in that there is excess more than the demand we have in the country. We are currently having an import duty of almost 800 million dollars in terms of clothing.”

According to Bahati, “The government is keen on fostering a conducive environment for businesses like Fine Spinners Uganda Ltd to thrive by producing high-quality textiles that can compete with imports.”

“We not only reduce our reliance on foreign goods, but also create job opportunities for our citizens. We have also seen, what they can do in terms of import substitution and export promotion.”

Bahati explained that, “The strategy of import substitution means, whatever we are importing, has to be replaced by products from our local materials here.“

He also noted that the export promotion aspect of the President’s directive is vital for enhancing Uganda’s trade balance and boosting economic growth.

The government aims to encourage local businesses to explore international markets and increase exports of Ugandan products.

He stated, “Fine Spinners is one of those companies that is getting electricity at 5 cents, as part of the presidential directive of supporting large Uganda companies in export promotion.“

According to Nitin Arora, Fine Spinners (U) Ltd, Head of Marketing Department, Fine Spinners is the one converting cotton from Ugandan fields to fashion for the European market.

“We are adding a lot of value to cotton and converting it to finished garments that are being sold in Europe.“ Cotton and Textiles are known to have contributed to the boosting of economies of various countries including, India, China, Bangladesh among others. Uganda’s economy is now booming and cotton and textile play a pivotal role,” said Arora.

By Nickson Maberi

Opposition in parliament has tasked the government to give a detailed and honest accountability for the lives lost during the November 2020 Protests.

The leader of the opposition in the parliament, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, said during the plenary on October 19th, that the government should account for the murders that occurred in November 2020 in riots that were fueled by the arrest of National Unity Platform President Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
The demand was the first of the seven demands presented to the government from the leader of the Opposition.

“Full accountability for the November 2020 murders in Kampala and beyond; including the actions taken on Police 999 Patrol 17, and others listed above, whose occupants were well captured by media houses and vigilant citizens, shooting love ammunition towards unarmed citizens,”the demand reads.

The opposition also wants the government to account for all arrested  Moslem clerics and ordinary Moslems, all the 18 disappeared Ugandans, account for and release all political prisons, account for military killings in fishing communities and be clear on detention without trial.

The leader of the opposition said they ‘shall not relent from exposing the systematic human rights abuses and to plead for the full intervention of Parliament in enlisting this problem and finding a durable solution’.

In response, the state minister for internal affairs Gen David Muhoozi said, some claims by LoP such as Moslems being targeted are objectionable.

In November 2020, protests erupted in Kampala following the arrest of NUP’S Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) over violation of Covid-19 guidelines. Scores lost their lives during these Protests and the Opposition wants the Government to be held accountable.

By Nickson Maberi

Member of parliament for Gulu East and cleric Father Onen Charles has revealed that he almost quit his position as legislator in Uganda’s parliament due to the opposition’s disruptive behaviour.

Father Onen told the parliament on October 19, 2023, that he has been considering resignation because of the conduct of some legislators in the house, especially the opposition, who had turned walking out of the parliament into a habit.

“For the past two days I have been thinking of resigning as MP because of the way we have been behaving. I am happy, we are talking like national leaders and we need to wear national lenses; when we are talking, we don’t need to talk because my brother is suffering,” Father One said.

Father Onen also castigated the leader of the Opposition, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, for his statement about arrests and murders, saying that he focused mainly on the Central Region and didn’t include arrests and murders being done in other regions such as the North.

“We are talking about Muslim clerics being arrested, so many religious leaders were arrested in Northern Uganda, now you are only talking about what is happening here. We need to start talking about national reconciliation, confrontational approach to any issue must stop,” he said.

Opposition MPs had walked out of the parliament twice before the plenary on October 19, 2023, as a way of protesting and forcing the government to give a detailed explanation on the ‘unlawful’ arrests of their leaders and supporters.

Father Onen’s comments follow a presentation by the leader of the opposition, who demanded the government to account for the lives lost during the November 2020 riots, arrested Moslem clerics and political prisoners among others.

Uganda Airlines is delighted to announce the addition of Lagos to its route network, starting October 19, 2023, linking Uganda to Africa’s largest economy with a direct air service for the first time.

This follows the securing of approvals by aeronautical authorities in Uganda and Nigeria.

UR 900, the inaugural service to Nigeria, departs Entebbe International Airport at 16.00 hours local time today for Lagos Murtala Muhammad International Airport, where it is scheduled to Arrive at 18.30 hours local time.

Uganda Airlines will operate flights to Nigeria three times a week with flights on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays, using its 258-seat state-of-the-art Airbus A330-800neo.

“Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy while Uganda’s central location on the continent makes it the ideal connection hub between East, West, North and Southern Africa. The direct flights will yield significant time savings for our guests who will be terminating their journeys in Uganda and those who may wish to travel onward within our network to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Mombasa, Juba, Bujumbura, Kinshasa, Dubai, Mogadishu or Johannesburg and Mumbai,” said Jenifer Bamuturaki the Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Airlines.

As a strategic partner, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is collaborating with Uganda Airlines to unpack opportunities that the new route brings in the context of trade and tourism for inclusive and sustainable development. UNDP is supporting 40 businesswomen in the trade and tourism sectors to be part of the inaugural flight. The objective of this support is to facilitate business-to-business linkages for export-ready companies targeting the Lagos and larger West African market.

Customers can book their journeys using our dedicated Uganda Airlines App from the convenience of
their phones and other hand-held devices or our network of travel agents.

Lagos becomes our 13th destination and comes in quick succession to Mumbai, which launched on October 7, 2023.

The flight schedule has been arranged to provide as much connectivity as possible to our
other destinations, with minimal waiting times, the Airline said Thursday.

A somber mood describes the situation at Kisenyi Bus Terminal, Central Division, Kampala, on Thursday afternoon, following the sudden and untimely passing of Mr. Namanya Dickson, a passenger with Swift Bus enroute to Mbarara.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 PM, and according to reports, Namanya was visibly unwell, and had stopped by the terminal’s facilities to relieve himself. Tragically, he passed away just outside the toilet facility, before he could enter.

Preliminary observations reveal that Namanya was indeed a passenger, having acquired a ticket for the Swift Bus service to Mbarara.

Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesprson confirmed the incident.

He said that the remains have been transported to Mulago Hospital for further examination and autopsy.

“The police investigation is already underway to determine the cause of this unexpected tragedy,” he added.

Go Cylinder Uganda Ltd. has on Thursday officially opened an LPG-Gas-Cylinder-Factory in Luwero District.

The plant, located in Nyimbwa, in Bombo, was commissioned by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon Francis Mwebesa, together with the State Minister for Luwero-Rwenzori Triangle, Hon. Alice Kaboyo.

A bulk of the cylinders that will be produced at this plant is expected to be procured by the government to supply them free of charge to citizens in an effort to promote the use of LGP gas as an alternative to firewood and charcoal.

Other cylinders will be sold to private fuel companies in Uganda and neighboring countries.

Minister Kaboyo, while speaking at the event, thanked the investors for choosing Luwero as the home of this plant.

“I am very happy to see, that soon we shall have our own Ugandan Gas from Bunyoro in our own Ugandan-made gas cylinders. These cylinders are being manufactured from scratch here at the factory,“ she said.

Hon Kaboyo also noted that the government’s free distribution of gas cylinders will significantly contribute to the use of clean energy by eliminating the cost of the cylinder, which is often a disincentive to some consumers.

The Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Energy plans to distribute over 1 million 13 kg gas cylinders to households, once LPG extraction begins in the Albertine.

Hon Kaboyo’s sentiments were echoed by Minister Mwebesa, who noted that the gas cylinders will prove much cheaper than biofuels such as charcoal, which the government is already determined to ban completely.

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Francis Mwebesa, thanked the management of Go Cylinders Limited for choosing Uganda and for always keeping the Trade ministry team on their toes, to ensure that the Go Cylinders factory acquires relevant licenses, permits and product certifications required before full-scale production.

“Uganda now has two gas cylinder manufacturers and we expect this subsector to grow given the rising demand for your product and the growing oil and gas sector of the economy.“ Minister Mwebesa added.

Go Cylinder Managing Director Ali Tawfiq, however, informed the Ministers of a number of bottlenecks they have been facing, among them, the poor state of the road leading to the factory.

“We appreciate everything that the government has been doing for us, but we need some more support. The condition of the road is very challenging; so many containers got stuck there and it cost us a lot of money,” he said.

Tawfiq also revealed that the plant was suffering constant power cuts by Umeme, as well as delays to get tax breaks, as promised to them by President Museveni.

On these matters, Minister Kaboyo promised to make follow-ups to ensure that they are ironed out.

“This should not be happening because we are the ones who seek you out to come and invest in our country, you should not be having to suffer like this,“ she said.

Regarding the dilapidated road, Erastro Kibirango, the Luwero district chairman, said this is under the district and has already been budgeted for, and that the works should commence soon.

According to Mr Tawfiq, the factory is already employing over 70 people from this area.

He said they intend to double this number, as they scale up their operations once the government has addressed their current challenges.

On his part, Denis Ainebyona, the Commissioner for Industry at the Ministry of Trade, reassured that Go Cylinder Products are of high quality, having been duly certified by UNBS.

He also thanked the company for providing a conducive working environment for its employees by feeding them well and providing them with protective gear.

Henry Kyemba, who for six years served as Idi Amin’s principal private secretary before exposing the tyrant’s human rights abuses, died on Tuesday morning. 

He was 84. His family described him as a ‘father, friend, brother and statesman.’ 

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, led Parliament in paying tribute to Henry Kyemba,  describing the deceased as a “very distinguished statesman and one of the most senior leaders in this country.”

The former Minister of Health under Idi Amin succumbed to diabetes-related complications. 

Historian Derek R Peterson, who had met Kyemba several times at the latter’s home in Jinja, said the deceased was a fixture in Uganda’s public life: advisor to presidents Obote and Amin; dedicated civil servant; courageous critic of Amin’s brutality; and custodian of memory.

Late Kyemba studied at Makerere with the support of his brother, David Nabeta, who was Minister of Health in Benedicto Kiwanuka’s government. 

Upon finishing university he joined the civil service, and was made secretary in the office of the Prime Minister, Milton Obote.

Derek recalled that Kyemba “was indispensable in Obote’s first government: he kept the civil service running smoothly, and was constantly at Obote’s side.”

In 1971, when Amin came to power, Kyemba went into a brief exile with Milton Obote. 

Amin summoned him back to Kampala, and made him his personal secretary.

Kyemba served several roles in Amin’s government: he was briefly Minister of Culture, and later Minister of Health. 

In 1977 Kyemba–alarmed at the increasing pace of violence and inhumanity–went into exile, where he published ‘State of Blood’. It was a damning exposé of Amin’s regime, told by a consummate insider.

 The inside information and stories that Kyemba relayed were quite appalling. He exposed Amin’s excesses which helped galvanise revolutionary efforts of exiled Ugandans to rally together to remove Amin by force of arms.

Kyemba’s story entailed the truth about the murder of Dora Bloch –  a dual Israeli-British citizen who was a hostage on Air France Flight 139 from Tel Aviv to Paris.

Kyemba’s also released his personal list of more than 100 ambassadors, ministers, doctors, and professors murdered by Amin’s private assassination squads.

He also provided an inside account of the murder of two American journalists; the random killings of over 100,000 people; Amin’s women – his insatiable sexual appetite; the dismembered body of his wife Kay; the bizarre tale of 5 wives, more than 30 mistresses, and 34 children; and Amin’s six private visits to the morgue; the gruesome tastes he personally described to Kyemba.